Economics at St. Mary's University

Is a bachelor's in economics worth $19,500 in debt when first-year earnings hover right at the state median? Based on similar programs across Texas, St. Mary's graduates likely earn around $51,000—putting them squarely in the middle of the pack statewide and essentially matching the national benchmark of $51,722. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 suggests manageable repayment, especially compared to many liberal arts degrees. The estimated debt load is actually below both state and national medians for economics programs, which matters when you're looking at monthly loan payments.

The gap between St. Mary's and Texas's elite programs is substantial—Rice and SMU economics grads start around $70,000-$78,000—but those schools serve different student populations. With an 89% admission rate and 42% of students on Pell grants, St. Mary's provides access to an economics degree for students who might not get into UT Austin or Trinity. The question is whether the outcome justifies the investment when other Texas programs in this peer group produce similar results.

For families considering St. Mary's economics program, the estimated figures suggest a middle-of-the-road financial proposition: reasonable debt paired with solid but unspectacular earnings. If your child has stronger academic credentials, programs like UT Austin offer significantly better starting salaries. But for students who value St. Mary's community or need the access it provides, these peer-program estimates don't reveal any financial red flags.